Sorbitan monostearate
Function: Emulsifier
E491 is the European food-additive number for Sorbitan monostearate, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E491 used for?
Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all emulsifiers (E-numbers).
Is E491 safe or restricted?
E491 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as “Under monitoring” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E491 vegan or vegetarian?
Sorbitan monostearate (E491) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used — so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E491?
E491 appears in 1,077 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in cakes, yeast and sweet pastries.
- Cakes288
- Yeast62
- Sweet Pastries46
- Biscuits & Cookies22
- Yeast (Dry)20
- Pastry20
- Sandwiches19
- Food Coloring / Decorations18
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E491 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E491
- What is E491?
- E491 is the E-number for Sorbitan monostearate, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E491 used for?
- Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E491?
- E491 appears in 1,077 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in cakes, yeast and sweet pastries. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E491 vegan or vegetarian?
- Sorbitan monostearate (E491) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used — so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E491 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E491 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as "Under monitoring" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E491 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.